FIFA 21 Showdown | Week 24 | Istanbul Başakşehir Vs Beşiktaş
If you’ve heard anything of football in Turkey, it’s probably that their rivalries are some of the fiercest in Europe, if not the world.
That, and Wesley Sneijder player for Galatasaray once.
And this week I’m heading to Turkey (not literally) for my FIFA 21 Showdown match up because on Saturday, one of SIX Istanbul derbies takes place, as Istanbul Başakşehir host Beşiktaş in the Super Lig (trying saying those names three times quickly!).
The Super Lig has arguably faded in recent years. The last time a Turkish side tasted European glory was Galatasaray in 2000, sporting the likes of Claudio Taffarel, Tugay, Emre Belözoğlu, Gheorghe Hagi and, er, Capone (I’m assuming he’s no relation to Al). They lifted the UEFA Cup (now the Europa League, kids) beating Arsenal 4–1 on penalties after a forgettable 0–0 draw.
Of course, we can’t discount Kayserispor’s 2006 Intertoto Cup win (again, as your parents, kids), and Beşiktaş’ 2017 quarter-final run in the Champions League, but you’d argue the talent has dried up, their teams aren’t as competitive, and it’s largely been pushed to the back burner by leagues such as Russia, China and even the MLS.
Of course, I’m not going to tell Turkish fans that, because as I’ve already said, they’re some of the most passionate around. So, Turkey, here’s one for you, courtesy of That Northern Bloke.
THE PLAYERS
I know I served up a treat for Newcastle fans last week, but here’s another. Oh, and any Chelsea fans looking? You’ll want to see this too. Liverpool fans, maybe look away.
First up we have the enigmatic Demba Ba — the scourge of so many, yet he’s a bit, er, shit, isn’t he? I think so. But anyway, I digress.
Demba Ba has had a career, I’ll tell you that. Travelling the globe, bounding about the pitch like a puppy unable to control his legs, and often scoring goals, to be fair. At Newcastle he netted 29 times in just 54 games, and he even had a spell at Beşiktaş, scoring 19 times across 31 games.
He now finds himself at Başakşehir, where he’s scored 19 in 55, so he’s slowing down a bit. But, he did net against Manchester United in the Champions League, so there’s that.
This card is a bit of a nostalgia one, if I’m honest. Is it meta? No. Is it especially useful? Not really. Would it be fun to roll back the years and smash the ball in during Squad Battles matches? Hell yes.
From the Beşiktaş side, we have an ex-Barca man who has been on loan more times than I’ve had hot dinners, and now finds himself in the Turkish capital after failing to make a breakthrough at the Camp Nou.
I’m not going to lie, I have been using this card in my silver team and that’s probably where the inspiration came from to use him, but I think with the right boosts he’d be a tidy little option.
As you can see from the above, he has great stats for an attacking full back, the only downside would be his stamina which sits in the mid-70s. But, I could see him working really well as a stay back CDM, and being Brazilian he won’t be difficult to link in despite the off-league.
THE VERDICT
So, what do you reckon? A bit of fun this week, and I wouldn’t price these SBCs highly. Maybe an 82 rated squad with an IF for both, given the league they’re in. I think they’d be fun, and Demba Ba especially would be pure nostalgia. Let me know what you think, and if you’d have chosen anyone different.
Until next time,
DJ
